❓ Ms. Walker questions the Minister about a crisis at the Midland DCD office due to understaffing and high caseloads. The Minister acknowledges the issues, commits to visiting the office, and highlights the government's investment in the department compared to the previous administration.
AnsweredQoN 66Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - MIDLAND OFFICE
I refer to the crisis meeting held at the Midland Department for Community Development office this morning. I believe that office has shut its doors and diverted its calls to Crisis Care. (1) Despite promising months ago that five extra staff would be employed at that office because of a massive backlog of cases, why have only two been employed on a temporary basis? Does the minister accept that this inaction has contributed to the crisis in that office? (2) Does the minister also accept that each case worker has between 30 and 40 cases to deal with at any one time, and staff have grave concerns that they will not reach the bottom of their case files? Will he now act to deliver much-needed resources to all DCD offices? (3) Is the minister aware that the DCD director general, Jane Brazier, informed staff at Midland that she could do nothing to address their concerns and, more to the point, what has he done about it? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
I refer to the crisis meeting held at the Midland Department for Community Development office this morning. I believe that office has shut its doors and diverted its calls to Crisis Care. (1) Despite promising months ago that five extra staff would be employed at that office because of a massive backlog of cases, why have only two been employed on a temporary basis? Does the minister accept that this inaction has contributed to the crisis in that office? (2) Does the minister also accept that each case worker has between 30 and 40 cases to deal with at any one time, and staff have grave concerns that they will not reach the bottom of their case files? Will he now act to deliver much-needed resources to all DCD offices? (3) Is the minister aware that the DCD director general, Jane Brazier, informed staff at Midland that she could do nothing to address their concerns and, more to the point, what has he done about it? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
(1) Despite promising months ago that five extra staff would be employed at that office because of a massive backlog of cases, why have only two been employed on a temporary basis? Does the minister accept that this inaction has contributed to the crisis in that office? (2) Does the minister also accept that each case worker has between 30 and 40 cases to deal with at any one time, and staff have grave concerns that they will not reach the bottom of their case files? Will he now act to deliver much-needed resources to all DCD offices? (3) Is the minister aware that the DCD director general, Jane Brazier, informed staff at Midland that she could do nothing to address their concerns and, more to the point, what has he done about it? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
(2) Does the minister also accept that each case worker has between 30 and 40 cases to deal with at any one time, and staff have grave concerns that they will not reach the bottom of their case files? Will he now act to deliver much-needed resources to all DCD offices? (3) Is the minister aware that the DCD director general, Jane Brazier, informed staff at Midland that she could do nothing to address their concerns and, more to the point, what has he done about it? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
(3) Is the minister aware that the DCD director general, Jane Brazier, informed staff at Midland that she could do nothing to address their concerns and, more to the point, what has he done about it? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
(1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
(1) Despite promising months ago that five extra staff would be employed at that office because of a massive backlog of cases, why have only two been employed on a temporary basis? Does the minister accept that this inaction has contributed to the crisis in that office? (2) Does the minister also accept that each case worker has between 30 and 40 cases to deal with at any one time, and staff have grave concerns that they will not reach the bottom of their case files? Will he now act to deliver much-needed resources to all DCD offices? (3) Is the minister aware that the DCD director general, Jane Brazier, informed staff at Midland that she could do nothing to address their concerns and, more to the point, what has he done about it? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
(2) Does the minister also accept that each case worker has between 30 and 40 cases to deal with at any one time, and staff have grave concerns that they will not reach the bottom of their case files? Will he now act to deliver much-needed resources to all DCD offices? (3) Is the minister aware that the DCD director general, Jane Brazier, informed staff at Midland that she could do nothing to address their concerns and, more to the point, what has he done about it? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
(3) Is the minister aware that the DCD director general, Jane Brazier, informed staff at Midland that she could do nothing to address their concerns and, more to the point, what has he done about it? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
I thank the member for Nedlands for her question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
(1)-(3) I am aware that there was a stop-work meeting this morning at the Midland DCD office. The purpose of that meeting was for staff to raise their concerns about resourcing. Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Ms S.E. Walker : They closed their doors. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I am attempting to answer the member’s question. A stop-work meeting took place this morning. The doors, which were closed, are not closed at this stage. They have been reopened, and the officers are carrying out their duties. The former Minister for Community Development has taken up the issue of resourcing with the Treasurer, the Premier and me. As the new minister, I can assure the member for Nedlands that the resourcing of the department is my primary concern. When I became minister, I looked at the resourcing that currently exists under the Carpenter government and at the resourcing that was in place under the previous government. It is interesting to look at the sorts of problems that bugged the coalition government when it was in power. I want to highlight these problems because they demonstrate very clearly that this government is serious about resourcing the Department for Community Development and making sure that the rights and the protection of children is a top priority. We can compare where we are now with where we were at the end of the previous government’s term in office. One of the issues that has been of particular interest concerns abuse in care and how we protect children. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During the previous government’s period of tenure, data was not even accurately kept. The processes of reporting abuse and addressing children in care were not addressed appropriately. Policies were unclear. There was not even a register of foster carers. These are some of the issues that the opposition spokesperson has been raising in the other place. I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
I want to highlight what we have achieved in our five-year tenure. Firstly, over $140 million has been injected into this department and into this ministry. We came from a period under the previous government of utter neglect in child protection and building community development. Over the past five years this government has made sure that this is a top priority, and we have resourced that priority by injecting money - over $140 million in recurrent funding - and employing additional staff. We have added 150 staff to the department since 2001. There are 65 new staff as a result of recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I do not want to hold up the time of the house but I could raise a range of initiatives. The previous Minister for Community Development was the longest-serving minister in that portfolio. I want to pay tribute to her because she made sure that community development and child protection - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
The SPEAKER : I call the members for Roe and Darling Range to order. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Child protection is a priority for this government, and we have continued to fund it. I assure the member for Nedlands of one very important point regarding my short time as Minister for Community Development: I take this ministry very seriously. I recognise that the Department for Community Development operates under great strains and stresses and that it has some fantastic staff. The member should not forget that. They do tremendous work, be they field workers or case managers. I will visit the office in Midland and meet with the staff representatives. I assure the member that the government will put more resources into the department. That will be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for it. I assure the member that I will continue to ensure that our children and families are given top priority under this government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Swan Hills and Perth.
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